Roof membrane and insulation removing device

ABSTRACT

A roof membrane and insulation removing device including a wheeled frame having a pair of handlebars. A number of first cutting blades are secured to the front of the wheeled frame. Each one of the first cutting blades is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis. A second cutting blade is secured to the wheeled frame between the first cutting blades and the handlebars. The second cutting blade is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. A first motor is connected to the first cutting blades, for rotating same. A second motor is connected to the second cutting blade for rotating same.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/059,384, filed on Feb. 17, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cutlery and, moreparticularly, to cutting tools mounted on vehicles moved during cutting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Impermeable rubber membranes positioned atop sheets of foam insulationare commonly used to make watertight roofs on commercial buildings.Weathering deteriorates these membranes; and necessitates their periodicreplacement lest a roof begin to leak. Many roofing companies employhandheld tools, to remove weathered, roofing membranes and foaminsulation, which minimize the likelihood of damaging roof deckingplates and other roof features. The process of removing a membrane,however, is slow with handheld tools, especially if such are manuallypowered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems associated with the tools used to detach oldmembranes and foam insulation from roofs, it is a principal object ofthe invention to provide a motorized device that rapidly strips a rubbermembrane and its associated foam insulation from a roof without damagingunderlying decking plates. During stripping, the device vertically andhorizontally cuts membrane, insulation, and any metallic, hold-downfasteners into small pieces that can be easily collected for disposal.Stripping is accomplished in a single pass with minimal vibration ofroof decking plates.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a roof membraneand insulation removing device of the type described that is compact insize and relatively light in weight. The device is easy to position on aroof with a small crane or lifting truck and, once there, can be easilymaneuvered into tight spaces.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a deviceof the type described that has a self-contained power source so it doesnot need to be tethered by cables to a remote generator or electricalgrid.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved features andarrangements thereof in a roof membrane and insulation removing devicefor the purposes described that is inexpensive to manufacture and isdependable in use.

Briefly, the device in accordance with this invention achieves theintended objects by featuring a wheeled frame having a pair ofhandlebars at the rear thereof. A pair of drive wheels is secured to therear of the frame below the handlebars for propelling the device over aroof. A source of pressurized hydraulic fluid is secured to the frame. Aplurality of first cutting blades being secured to the front of theframe. Each one of the first cutting blades is rotatable about asubstantially horizontal axis. A pair of second cutting blades issecured to the frame between the first cutting blades and the drivewheels. The second cutting blades are positioned adjacent one anotherand are rotatable about a substantially vertical axis. A first hydraulicmotor is connected to the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and isconnected to the first cutting blades for rotating same. A pair ofsecond hydraulic motors is connected to the source of pressurizedhydraulic fluid. Each of the second hydraulic motors is respectivelyconnected to one of the second cutting blades for rotating same. A pairof third hydraulic motors is connected to the source of pressurizedhydraulic fluid. Each of the third hydraulic motors is respectivelyconnected to one of the drive wheels for rotating same.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become readily apparent upon further review of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a roof membrane and insulation removing devicein accordance with the present invention having its hydraulic fluidconduits detached for the sake of drawing simplicity.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the roof membrane and insulation removing deviceof FIG. 1 having its hydraulic fluid conduits detached.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the roofmembrane and insulation removing device.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the FIGS., a roof membrane and insulation removingdevice in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Device10 includes a wheeled frame 12 having a pair of handlebars 14 at itsrear for steering by a walking attendant. In front of handlebars 14, apair of cutting blades 16, each being rotatable about a substantiallyvertical axis by a respective one of a pair of hydraulic motors 18, issupported by frame 12. In front of blades 16, a number of cutting blades20, being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis by a hydraulicmotor 22, are supported by frame 12. Another pair of hydraulic motors 24r and 24 l drives a pair of wheels 26 r and 26 l to propel device 10over a roof 28. During use, rubber membrane 30, foam insulation and 32and metallic fasteners 34 severed from roof decking 36 by blades 16 and20 are collected behind device 10 for periodic disposal.

Frame 12 is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis A. As such, frame 12has a pair of laterally spaced side rails 38 that are mirror images ofone another. Each of side rails 38 has a front segment 40, positionedfar from longitudinal axis A, that is connected to a rear segment 42,positioned near longitudinal axis A, by a medial segment 44. Arespective one of a pair of gussets 46 reinforces the connection of arear segment 42 to its associated medial segment 44. A front crosspiece48 connects the rear ends of segments 40 together. A rear crosspiece 50connects the rear ends of segments 42 together and a medial crosspiece52 connects the front ends of segments 42 together. A respective one ofa pair of handlebars 14 extends upwardly from the rear of each segment42. A shelf 54 is connected to, and extends forwardly from the middle ofhandlebars 14 above crosspiece 50.

Although not shown for the sake of drawing simplicity, crosspiece 48 isconnected to side rail segments 40 in such a way that its position canbe varied in terms of its elevation and pitch.

Such a thing can be readily accomplished with the use of a pivot pinarrangement or by the provision of elongated slots in the ends ofcrosspiece 48 for receiving bolts extending from segments 40. Sincemotors 18 and blades 16 are carried by crosspiece 48, the depth andangle of cut of blades 16 through membrane 30 and insulation 32 can bevaried by repositioning crosspiece 48 to meet operating preferences.Selectively lowering crosspiece 48 increases the depth of cut of blades16 and selectively increasing the forward pitch of crosspiece 48,increases the power of blades 16 to lift cut membrane 30 and insulation32 from roof 28.

A respective one of a pair of casters 56 is secured to each gusset 46 tomaintain the front of frame 12 at a predetermined height above roof 28.Casters 56 are capable of turning 360° about vertical axes, permittingdevice 10 to be easily steered when pushed over roof 28.

The drive shaft 58 of each motor 18 extends downwardly from the bottomof crosspiece 48. Secured to each drive shaft 58 is a cutting blade 16that comprises a pair of criss-crossed bars 60. Each of bars 60 isprovided with a sharpened, leading, cutting edge 62 that is capable ofcutting membrane 30, insulation 32, and fasteners 34 horizontally, or ata shallow angle, when rotated at high speeds by a motor 18.Alternatively, cutting blades 16 can be disks whose peripheral edgeshave small teeth or imbedded abrasives for cutting purposes.

Motor 22 is secured to the front end of one forward segment 40. Thedrive shaft 64 of motor 22 extends from the front end of the forwardsegment 40 to which motor 22 is secured to the front end of the otherforward segment 40 where such is journaled in a bearing 66. Cuttingblades 20 are secured in a spaced-apart relationship along the length ofthe drive shaft 64 between segments 40. Blades 20 are disks that possessteeth (or, alternatively, abrasives) about their peripheries for cuttingpurposes. When shaft 64 is rotated at high speeds by motor 22, blades 20are caused to make substantially vertical cuts through membrane 30,insulation 32, and any fasteners 34 encountered.

Drive wheels 26 r and 26 l is rotatably positioned at the rear of frame12 to maintain the rear of frame 12 at a set height above roof 28. Eachof wheels 26 r and 26 l is secured to the drive shaft 68 r and 68 l ofmotors 24 r and 24 l secured below crosspiece 50. Wheels 26 r and 26 lcan be selectively rotated by motor 24 r and 24 l to drive device 10forward or backward or to turn the device 10 in a clockwise orcounterclockwise manner.

An internal combustion engine 70, powered by liquid fuel from a tank 72supported by shelf 54, is mounted atop crosspiece 52 so as to power atwo-stage pump 74. Pump 74 is fastened directly to engine 70 and hastwo, separate, pumping units 76 and 78 being capable of deliveringseparate streams of hydraulic fluid under pressure at predetermined flowrates. Pumping unit 76 has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet that do notcommunicate directly with the fluid inlet and outlet of pumping unit 78.

While engine 70 is running, hydraulic fluid is delivered from areservoir 80 on shelf 54 to pumping units 76 and 78 through a suctionconduit 82. Hydraulic fluid is discharged from pumping unit 76 into adischarge conduit 84 for delivery to motors 18 and 22. Discharge conduit84 is provided with a manually operated valve 86 that selectivelypermits the flow of hydraulic fluid to motors 18 and 22 connected inseries with reservoir 80. (Note: bypass conduits permitting thecontinuous pumping of fluid by pump 76 are not shown in the FIGS. forthe sake of simplicity.) With hydraulic fluid flowing through motors 18and 22 such will operate to rotate drive shafts 58 and 64 and cuttingblades 16 and 20 through the transmission system previously described.Hydraulic fluid exiting motors 18 and 22 is returned to reservoir 80 viareturn conduit 88.

Hydraulic fluid is delivered from a reservoir 80 to high-pressurepumping unit 78 through suction conduit 82 while engine 70 is operating.Hydraulic fluid is discharged from pumping unit 78 into a dischargeconduit 90 for delivery to motors 24 r and 24 l. Discharge conduit 90 isprovided with a pair of manually operated valves 92 r and 92 l thatrespectively control the flow of hydraulic fluid to motors 24 r and 24l.

Each of valves 92 r and 92 l is shown in FIG. 3 to be situated so thatits segment N is engaged with conduit 90 whereby hydraulic fluid flowsto and from the valves 92 r and 92 l into return conduit 94 withoutaccomplishing useful work, meaning that device 10 remains in neutral orat rest. Should both of valves 92 r and 92 l be shifted so that its Fsegment is engaged with conduit 90, hydraulic fluid is permitted to flowto motors 24 r and 24 l to rotate drive shafts 68 r and 68 l and wheels26 r and 26 l so as to move device 10 forward. If, however, both valves92 r and 92 l are shifted so that its R segment is engaged with conduit90, hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow to motors 24 r and 24 l so asto rotate shafts 68 r and 68 l and wheels 26 r and 26 l to move device10 backward or in reverse. Similarly, if valve 92 r is shifted so thatits F segment is engaged with conduit 90 and the valve 92 l is shiftedso that its R segment is engaged with conduit 90, device 90 will becaused to turn under its own power in a counterclockwise manner whenviewed from above.

To avoid overheating the hydraulic fluid, a portion of its flow isdiverted from return conduit 94 to a cooler 96 mounted on frame 12.After the hydraulic fluid passes through cooler 12, it is dischargedinto reservoir -80. Once in reservoir 80, the hydraulic fluid can bewithdrawn to power any of motors 18, 22, 24 r and 24 l.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the use of device 10is straightforward. First, device 10 is placed on roof 28. Next,membrane 30 and insulation 32 are exposed to cutting blades 16 and 20 atthe start of a cut. Then, valves 92 r and 92 l is set to energize motors24 r and 24 l so as to rotate wheels 26 r and 26 l and drive device 10forwardly. The forward movement of device 10 presses blades 16 and 20against membrane 30, insulation 32, and fasteners 34 used for anchoringpurposes. Now, valve 86 is opened to energize motors 18 and 22 therebycausing blades 16 and 20 to rotate and cut the membrane 30, insulation32 and fasteners 34. Cutting of membrane 30, insulation 32 and fasteners34 proceeds rapidly with device 10 moving at a walking pace. Themembrane 30, insulation 32 and fasteners 34 are cut into small pieces.

If blades 16 appear to be scraping upon decking 36 as membrane 30,insulation 32 and fastener 34 removal progresses, they can be raised byadjusting the height or pitch of crosspiece 48 as described hereinabove.

Because device 10 is highly maneuverable, the process of removing amembrane 30, its underlying insulation 32 and associated fasteners 34from a roof 28 can be accomplished in substantially less time thanrequired when using conventional tools regardless of the skill of theuser. A job that formerly would have required weeks to complete can nowbe completed in days.

While my device has been described with a high degree of particularity,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modificationscan be made to it. For example, the number and location of cuttingblades 16 and 20 can be increased or decreased to suit the needs of aparticular user. Thus, it is to be understood that the present inventionis not limited solely to the device described above, but encompasses anyand all devices within the scope of the following claims.

1. A roof membrane and insulation removing device, comprising: a wheeledframe having a pair of handlebars; a plurality of first cutting bladesbeing secured to the front of said wheeled frame, each one of said firstcutting blades being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis;and, a second cutting blade being secured to said wheeled frame betweensaid first cutting blades and said handlebars, said second cutting bladebeing rotatable about a substantially vertical axis; a first motor beingconnected to said first cutting blades for rotating same; and, a secondmotor being connected to said second cutting blade for rotating same. 2.A roof membrane and insulation removing device, comprising: a wheeledframe having a pair of handlebars at the rear thereof; a pair of drivewheels being secured to the rear of said frame below said handlebars forpropelling said device over a roof; a plurality of first cutting bladesbeing secured to the front of said frame, each one of said first cuttingblades being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis; and, apair of second cutting blades being secured to said frame between saidfirst cutting blades and said drive wheels, and said second cuttingblades being positioned side by side and being rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis; a first motor being connected to said firstcutting blades for rotating same; a pair of second motors each beingrespectively connected to one of said second cutting blades for rotatingsame; and, a pair of third motors each being respectively connected toone of said drive wheels for rotating same.
 3. A roof membrane andinsulation removing device, comprising: a wheeled frame having a pair ofhandlebars at the rear thereof; a pair of drive wheels being secured tothe rear of said frame below said handlebars for propelling said deviceover a roof; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid being secured tosaid frame; a plurality of first cutting blades being secured to thefront of said frame, each one of said first cutting blades beingrotatable about a substantially horizontal axis; and, a pair of secondcutting blades being secured to said frame between said first cuttingblades and said drive wheels, and said second cutting blades beingpositioned adjacent one another and being rotatable about asubstantially vertical axis; a first hydraulic motor being connected tosaid source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and being connected to saidfirst cutting blades for rotating same; a pair of second hydraulicmotors each being connected to said source of pressurized hydraulicfluid and being respectively connected to one of said second cuttingblades for rotating same; and, a pair of third hydraulic motors eachbeing connected to said source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and beingrespectively connected to one of said drive wheels for rotating same.